Nintendo is a key player in the gaming industry, having created many revolutionary games. Being one of the oldest video game companies, Nintendo has stood the test of time by adapting to changing trends while staying true to its roots. Many competitors have appeared, and countless great games have come out over the years, but Nintendo’s games still have a special spot.
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From the Legend of Zelda series to Super Mario Bros., Nintendo has many titles in its portfolio that gamers of all ages enjoy. One of the best things about Nintendo games is their replay value. People still play classics from over two decades ago, especially those that influenced countless other games.
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Super Mario Kart
Don’t Make Me Use The Red Shell
Super Mario Kart
- Released
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September 1, 1992
- ESRB
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E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Engine
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unity
- Multiplayer
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Local Multiplayer
Super Mario Kart is the pioneer in the kart racing genre. The game has you racing against multiple characters from Nintendo’s Super Mario series driving their unique vehicles. Not only does the game have multiple iconic maps, including Rainbow Road, but the original Super Mario Kart also had multiplayer, ensuring players could race against each other.
The unique shells and banana power-ups bring something new to the game, and variants of these power-ups appear in other kart racing games. In addition to the power-up system, many kart racing games utilize the drifting mechanic that Super Mario Kart initially popularized.
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Tetris
Fit Those Blocks
Tetris is the invention of Alexey Pajitnov and a big variable in the success of Nintendo’s Game Boy. The game’s Game Boy variant, in particular, went on to become a massive success that redefined the puzzle genre. The biggest thing is that many non-gamers bought Game Boys to play Tetris, which was easier since the two were bundled together.
Tetris may have a straightforward concept, to ensure blocks fit the screen properly, but that’s also the game’s biggest strength. The easy-to-understand yet difficult-to-master gameplay formula gave Tetris a unique identity while influencing future games like Treasure Stack and Nintendo’s own Dr. Mario.
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Pokemon Red
Gotta Catch ‘Em All
The Pokemon phenomenon began after the release of Pokemon Red. The game was the start of a multi-million-dollar franchise and introduced new mechanics to video games. Capturing creatures and using them for battle is still an inspiration for games like Palworld, while the turn-based rock-paper-scissors combat is still a staple of many gaming franchises.
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Pokemon Red also heavily emphasizes the social aspect that most games ignored at that time. The introduction of trading between players revolutionized gameplay completely, ensuring players had more reasons to discuss the game.
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Donkey Kong
Not Just A Plumber
Donkey Kong
- Released
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July 31, 1981
- ESRB
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e
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo R&D1, Ikegami Tsushinki
- Franchise
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Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong is Nintendo’s crown jewel and the first in many categories. Being among the first platforming games to have a story tying it together, basic it may be, the first Donkey Kong is credited with saving Nintendo of America from a massive financial crisis. The game was massively successful and cemented Nintendo’s future in the gaming industry.
Donkey Kong is considered the gateway to modern gaming with its innovative gameplay. You control Mario and have to rescue Pauline by winning four increasingly difficult levels. The way the stages are set up, you must strategize to get to the end. No one could have predicted that a seemingly mundane plumber character would go on to become one of the most iconic video game faces.
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Wii Sports
Wanna Go Bowling, Grandma
Wii Sports
- Released
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November 19, 2006
- ESRB
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E For Everyone due to Mild Violence
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer
The Nintendo Wii was bundled with Wii Sports and both the console and game became huge successes. Wii Sports didn’t target a specific audience, since it was one of the most accessible and easy-to-play games. Various games like bowling, boxing, and more were playable via the wireless remote control, and your actions would be mimicked and displayed on the screen.
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This innovative and intuitive gameplay attracted many players and Wii Sports was one of the prime reasons many purchased the Nintendo Wii. This led to many players eventually buying other games even if they only wanted to play Wii Sports in the beginning. Wii Sports took full advantage of the Nintendo Wii’s motion sensor, ensuring anyone could hop on and have a good time, regardless of factors like preference or age. This paved the path for the future of inclusive, family-focused video games.
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The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Goodbye Temples
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
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March 3, 2017
- ESRB
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E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Engine
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Havok
One of the most common modes of traveling in The Legend of Zelda games was formerly on the back of Link’s trusted steed, Epona. Breath of the Wild changed that significantly by introducing new ways to travel. The most influential method is the paraglider, which quickly became a fan-favorite, being featured in multiple games. Joining the paraglider was the new stamina system that lets players sprint, climb, and glide for a set amount of time. These two things are why many games like Genshin Impact and Immortals Fenyx Rising are compared to BoTW.
Of course, Breath of the Wild also influenced games through its seamless open world. The implementation is straightforward and simple but done well. There’s no set order you must follow in terms of how you tackle the game. Instead of a set of temples you must complete, you can traverse the map according to your preference. Breath of the Wild is still a point of reference for many game developers, with many stating that they’ve taken inspiration from the game.
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Super Mario 64
Does Anyone Want Cake
- Released
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September 26, 1996
- ESRB
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E for Everyone
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Engine
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Nintendo 64 SDK
Super Mario 64 was the first 3D game in the series and was released as a launch title for the infamous Nintendo 64. The game changed how you’d control Mario by using the analog stick in the middle of the then-uncommon N64 controller. Paired with the buttery-smooth movement of the titular character, the game was the stepping stone for other 3D games.
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Nintendo games are known for their soundtracks and Super Mario 64 was no exception. Fans still cherish the iconic music by Koji Kondo. The game was unparalleled for its time and the developers used in-game portraits to circumvent the low RAM and storage of the time. The in-depth level design was a game-changer and something fans instantly fell in love with. A good example of this is how Super Mario 64 is among the most popular games for speedrunners, influencing an entire community of gamers.
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The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
Journey Transcending Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Released
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November 21, 1998
- ESRB
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E10+ for Everyone 10+: Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Engine
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Zelda 64 Engine
If you’re a Nintendo fan, chances are you’ve played at least one The Legend of Zelda game. One of the oldest yet still highly played games in the series is Ocarina of Time. The game’s story, Link’s transformation ability, and the bittersweet ending all hold a special place in the hearts of fans.
Ocarina of Time revolutionized 3D games in an era where they were uncommon. It was the first Nintendo game to make use of the Z-targeting system, which has since become a common element in most games. Another thing OoT popularized was contextual buttons. The game’s controls adapted to the current situation instead of throwing multiple buttons for different things. Talking, rolling, and throwing pots all utilized the same button.
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